Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin Ferris and I raise the issue of the absence of nursing and medical support for the residents of the island of Inishturk off the County Mayo coast. Inishturk Island has a population of 58. When the resident nurse retired plenty of notice was given but no replacement was recruited to replace her. The island does not currently have a nurse and despite a promise of weekly visits, only three such visits have taken place since last September.

The population of Inishturk Island has the same health concerns that affect everyone living on the mainland. Some residents have contracted influenza, one woman is pregnant and many other islanders are elderly. They have been informed that a nurse has been recruited to the vacant position but certain paperwork remains outstanding. When will the appointee be in situ? As Inishturk is nine miles offshore, its population has great concerns that an emergency may present. The state-of-the-art health centre on the island is locked up and residents do not have access to the defibrillator located in the centre in the event of a cardiac emergency presenting.

I urge the Minister to ensure the population of Inishturk is provided with this most essential support in the interest of their ongoing health concerns.

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